The Egyptian Presidential Elections have come and gone; Mohamed Morsi, the Islamic candidate, has become president and will be sworn in on Saturday, June 30, 2012. So now Egyptians have shifted their attention to other critical matters.
They have turned to Um Ahmed, as she prefers to be called, or the First Egyptian Lady, as she prefers not to be called. Mrs. Morsi has also suggested a few other options by which she could be referred to: after Um Ahmed, which is her favorite, the President’s wife or the First Servant are both acceptable.
Let’s see this in its appropriate perspective. Um Ahmed happens to be the wife of the first civil Egyptian president, a fact that is pivotal in itself. She is also the wife of supposedly a very influential man in the Arab World and the region altogether. Surely a keen interest in her is expected.
Needless to say, Naglaa Ali Mahmoud, who has kept her maiden name—quite common in Egypt--has suddenly become the talk of the town. She is creating a stir and attracting quite a bit of commotion nationally and internationally proving that Egyptians are not the only ones curious about her.
Um Ahmed dresses in simple Islamic attire, monochromatic, with a draping long veil that loosely reaches her knees. But more important than her attire, Mrs. Morsi seems down to earth and easy to get along with. She has a calm, serene smile that exudes warmth. But she also seems witty and unpretentious; when a reporter asks if he can take her photograph, she responds, “Only if your photos make me look younger and a little thinner.” (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/world/middleeast/naglaa-ali-mahmoud-an-egyptian-everywoman-in-the-presidential-palace.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y)
Um Ahmed is indeed a very simple Egyptian who has suddenly found herself in the limelight. She doesn’t look or sound as though she is seeking the publicity; nevertheless, she is getting it because obviously people want to know more about the woman who will be representing them around the world, if she opts to do so.
Egyptians are divided here.
Many Egyptians look at Um Ahmed and, primarily, feel humbled. She resembles millions of Egyptian mothers, a tweet says. And a Facebook comment asks people to avoid putting down Mrs. Morsi because of this maternal demeanor.
But others are used to another kind of First Lady, the one who could represent Egyptians amidst queens and other first ladies. Some Egyptians have always looked up to the first lady for fashion, opinion, etiquette, and presence. And more importantly they always expected her to play a fundamental public role.
These others are also saying, “But I don’t want a mother to represent me!” To those, their mothers’ roles should in no way be equated to the role of the most important woman in Egypt. They had expected a different person with a different image. These Egyptians are frustrated and disappointed.
It is not going to be easy to satisfy all Egyptians. They neither want a docile and complacent wife, nor do they want an opinionated, self-centered, and dominant diva. Balance is going to be of the essence here.
I’m on the fence on this one. I’d like to wait and see how Mrs. Morsi handles her prominent role. I cannot build my opinion on someone’s apparel alone. I need to see what Mrs. Morsi is capable of doing. Egyptians in need—the main reason why the revolution came to be—may actually relate to her modest and plain look than to a fancily dressed and beautifully coiffed persona.
We will have to wait and see whether Mrs. Morsi plans to get involved in public work. I believe she can play an immense role in the life of the unfortunate. By reaching out to those in need and finding resources and ways to improve their lives, Mrs. Morsi will ultimately be accepted by everyone, even the critical and the elite.
Still Mrs. Morsi may choose not to play any role whatsoever. This will give the critical the window to go further in their criticism.
Indeed, Egyptians must not form premature opinions but give Mrs. Morsi a fair chance. I’m looking forward to seeing Mrs. Morsi prove herself to Egyptians. She may feel uncomfortable amongst the high-end, or amongst royalties and diplomats, but if she exhibits an effort in helping those truly in need and worthy of her time, all Egyptians will accept her.
Whether Um Ahmed resembles Egyptian mothers or not is trivial. It all depends on what this particular mother will do.
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